If your cat is congested, according to this site, a vaporizer is known to help with this. Essential Oils For Dogs The Safest And Worst Oil To Use, Golden Retriever Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix (Golden Ridgeback) Info, Pictures, & Facts, Corgi Basenji Mix (Corsengi) Info, Pictures, & Facts, Boxer Bloodhound Mix Info, Pictures, & Facts, Catahoula Beagle Mix Info, Pictures, & Facts, Akita Doberman Mix (Doberkita Inu) Info, Pictures, & Facts) Info, Pictures, & Facts, It is absorbed through the cats skin and into the bloodstream, It can get into the body through broken or punctured skin, Is experiencing breathing issues from camphor poisoning, Has inflamed mucus membrane from the burning effect of camphor, Has damaged internal organs from camphor poisoning, Take Fido out of the area while you use the vaporizer (these vapors can stay long so keeping them away would be ideal), Ensure proper room ventilation, if you can release the air out of the house via an exhaust, well and good, Keep Fido out in the open air and return them once vapor has dissipated. Should I Be Worried About My Cat's Hairballs? Silence the Superstitions, Why Do Cats Purr When You Talk To Them? You can also check out ASPCAs complete list of toxic and non-toxic plants (and herbs!) Hyrum loves my hair too, he always thinks it needs grooming, lol. I don't know why but she would slobber and claw my poor friend. Especially vicks vapo-rub. In addition to the essential oils that you buy individually, they often appear in other household products such as paint thinner (turpentine is an essential oil) and insect repellent, which has a high risk of fatal reactions for cats, noted . In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. Don't delay contacting a professional. If the discharge is bloody, Misty should see her veterinarian. Essential oils and animals can be a harmful combination. They have their own weird behaviors that no one can understand, but one that's particularly intriguing is why cats go crazy for menthol. If your cat is congested, after consulting your vet, you can use some natural methods to help with congestion. You might even consider planting a few of these herbs as a cute little cat garden. Interesting !!! But the truth is that many human foods are toxic or even deadly for cats. So, now you know more about it. Oregano. Peppermint oil simply is not good for cats in any form. Most topical ointments used by humans contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot both contain a lot of menthols. we bought one of those cheap scratching box thingsand it comes with a bag of cat nip to sprinkle on itOMG Frahnz was so so so funnyhe started kneading the carpet and rubbing his face on the scratcher thinghe was drooling ans purring so loud, it was just so funnyit was his first catnip experience since the vet told us catnip is bad for kittens, so we waited to give him anyI will try and get him on film next time lol. So, to be safe, it is best avoided. Just remember that treats are part of your cats daily calorie intake. What is the Health Concern? Some cats develop skin problems when they come into contact with camphor oil. Because cats have a stronger sense of smell than humans, they can easily pick up the smell of menthol. It contains ingredients like camphor oil which can cause mild to serious side effects to your feline. ASPCA Surpasses $200 Million in Grant Funding to Nationwide Organizations and Animal Welfare Groups. Here's what you should know, Safety of Cats and Essential Oils - Tisserand Institute, Is Vicks VapoSteam safe for cats? Menthol is common in products like Ben Gay and other creams like Vicks vapor rub. For some people, it may cause allergic reactions and symptoms such as headache, flushing or contact dermatitis. To put it in perspective, a typical cough drop contains between 5 and 10 mg of menthol. So, now you know some of the potential effects to look out for. If you grow mint in your garden, dont be shocked if it attracts cats. No, coconut oil is not toxic. Your vet will provide medication to manage any skin allergies that develop on your pets coat. These devices typically have a negative connotation attached but, in this context, for clearing congestion, it is a different circumstance. Toxicology for pets Camphor is found in many common trade names, including Carmex, Tiger Balm, Vicks VapoRub, Campho-Phenique, and others. Menthol could be bad for cats if ingested in large quantities. It may be confusing if your cat catches a cold when they stay in all the time, right? We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Menthol is toxic because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. Q: My dog Misty had been licking and scooting her behind across the carpet, leaving a brown streak. The menthol is most likely burning when he sniffs it in, not to mention it is a very strong smell that he isn't used to in his environment, so it's going to rile him up. 3 . The sacs are lined by glands that produce a foul-smelling liquid which is released through ducts at the anus. haha thats odd. Text STOP to opt-out, HELP for more info. There's no accepted standard for a menthol overdose, but research suggests . Consumption can cause heart arrhythmias, muscle tremors, or seizures. I never thought about the cat liking mint stuff, maybe that explains why he insists on being in the bathroom when we brush our teeth and stuff? Menthol is toxic because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. Menthol and nutmeg oil are the two primary elements unsafe for dogs. Humans have a total of 5 million scent sensors, while cats have 200 million. Further research into potential mechanisms is warranted. Dr. Susan : cats, I recommend Chlortrimeton. Is menthol bad for dogs? My 8-yr old male is FeLeuk positive and we've had many trips to the vet in the past 6 weeks. This is especially important if your cat is displaying symptoms such as muscle tremors or repeated vomiting. I'm o.k. Basil, tea tree, oregano, and clove are all safe for your cat. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If you grow mint in your garden, don't be shocked if it attracts cats. The scent of menthol is often confused with that ofCatnip from cats. I am getting over a cold now and was just using vicks - my kitties didn't bother me. Cats are attracted to Vicks Vaporub because of the scent it gives off. To keep the great cats entertained, many zoos apply Vicks VapoRub to surfaces inside the cat enclosures. My husband rubbed some Flexall 454 on my back. ZooAwesome is not intended as replacement to any veterinarian advice. While you certainly do not want your cat to consume menthol, there is no reason to be alarmed if your cat consumes a small amount. The menthol is usually diluted. Your cat likes Vicks vaporub because it smells like catnip and cats are attracted to it. Also, Vicks vaposteam can be added in humidifiers to eliminate dryness in the air and improve symptoms of flu or the common cold. My Cat Stopped Purring When I Got A New Kitten Why? JavaScript is disabled. Cinnamon is non-toxic to cats. Dusty want a sniff it and she then backed away with a disgusted look on her face. According to the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), the first thing you should do if your pet ingests cough drops is check the ingredients list. If you have not heard of a vaporizer before it is used to create inhalable vapor. If you are concerned that your cat has a cold you may be keen to understand what signs or symptoms to look out for. Even the simplest oversight may have big consequences on your cats well being and quality of life. Menthol is a great pain-reliever - for humans. Stop using menthol topical and call your doctor at once if you have: severe burning, stinging, redness, or irritation . Steam from heated water has great effects on human colds as well as cats. A lack of thiamine can cause serious neurological problems and lead to convulsions and coma. Are they safe for dogs? You will often find menthol in cleansers and washes designed for acne or other painful skin . 11 Holiday Foods That Are Dangerous for Your Cat. Most topical ointments people use contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot are both high in menthol. Many sites list chamomile in the column of herbs safe for cats; however, this is a dangerous generalization, as some types of chamomile are toxic to cats and dogs alike. Required fields are marked *. . I have had a toner with high amount of alcohol and toner in it (Clinique sent me as a sample), and to me it didn't cause any irritation but I only used it once a week or . he just said he likes it our cat goes crazy for twinkies. Menthol is used in a wide range of products, including inhalants, lozenges, mouthwashes, breath . This is not good for cats. In cosmetics and skincare products, menthol is used to help relieve pain and to improve the scent and flavour of the product. Too cute! Normally, this occurs with each bowel movement as a scent signal for other dogs. Behavior marking, the cat's smell can be spread by rolling on the floor. Do cats like the smell of menthol? Cats will only be harmed by menthol if they consume huge amounts of the herb, which is rare. There has been a lot of debate on whether your cat should inhale vaposteam. :) Just so you understand, I may take a share of any sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Herbs have many culinary and medicinal benefitsand not just for humans! Dr. Susan : You can also try an antihistamine . They are mysterious. Wintergreen, peppermint, spearmint and mint. Is Vicks safe for cats to smell? Menthol is poisonous because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. Call your veterinarian, or contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680. You may find, in time, it searches for the catnip before thinking about your Vicks. Catnip is also a member of the mint family; offer Nala some and enjoy her response. An unconfined cat is distracting to the driver, and vulnerable to injury or escape. Jan 29, 2011 #3 jazzythecat TCS Member Super Cat Joined Apr 4, 2010 Messages 1,007 Purraise 10 Location Playing with Jazzy & Ginga. Raw Meat and Fish. [Describing the process would be too graphic for some newspaper readers, but there are instructional videos on YouTube.]. Experts say itll be difficult to keep your cat away from the medication that has mentholon your knee because hes preoccupied with the smell, but if you let him latch onto your bum leg where the medication is, simply keep it covered at all times while hes around and wash your hands properly. A: Menthol is derived from mint leaves, and many cats have a gene that attracts them to mint. However, this is what they regard as the active ingredients. If youre at work when the incident happens, hours could pass before you realize your cat is hurt or missing. Camphor is an organic compound used in creams, lotions, and ointments. Simply dampen cotton balls with witch hazel and wipe your cats chin once or twice a day. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. If your dog ate something containing menthol, call your vet and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Your vet may suggest a gastric lavage if inducing vomiting will cause more harm to the cat. Methemoglobinemia is a form of anemia that can cause symptoms such as: depression, weakness, rapid breathing, discoloration of skin and mucous membranes, jaundice, vomiting, hypothermia or the swelling of face or jaw. And, for those cats, it could work in reverse. If you have any difficulty, ask your veterinarian for help. Valerian is a great option for your indoor cat garden. If your cat shows some cold symptoms you may be wondering if it has cat flu. Think your cat longs to explore all of springtimes splendors on her own? Because the fragrance of menthol is similar to that of catnip, cats enjoy it. Salicylates, the generic name for aspirin, are found in both Bengay and Icy Hot. I don't know why but she would slobber and claw my poor friend. Cats have been known to love the smell of menthol. Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans. Because cats enjoy menthol, they are enamored with it and enjoy sniffing it. 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